EPA and the Columbia River Toxics Reduction Working Group have issued a call to action for governments, nonprofits, industries, and citizens to help reduce toxics in the Columbia River basin.

The Toxics Reduction Action Plan identifies 61 actions to:

• Increase public understanding and political commitment to toxics reduction in the Basin
• Increase toxic reduction actions
• Conduct monitoring to identify sources and then work to reduce toxic contamination
• Develop a regional, multi-agency research program
• Develop a data management system that will allow us to share information on toxics in the Basin.

Our success will depend on a commitment to work together. The problems are too large, widespread, and complex to be solved by only one organization or country.

Read all 61 actions: Columbia River Toxics Reduction Action Plan

What you can do

Below are some actions you can take to promote education efforts and help reduce toxics chemicals in your part of the watershed:

• Follow us on Twitter. EPA's Columbia River Coordinator, Mary Lou Soscia, tweets regularly about a wide range of information related to protecting and restoring the Columbia River and its watershed. Follow @EPAcolumbia on Twitter Exit
• Look for the Safer Choice logo. EPA's Safer Choice program helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that perform well and are safer for human health and the environment. 
• Don't flush your old or unused pharmaceuticals. Help protect our water by returning your unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs to a drug take-back program or other safe method of disposal. See our collecting and disposing of unwanted medicines page.